Friday, May 27, 2005

It's a Spice, Spice, Spice, Spice World

I cannot believe it. The Spice Girls are reuniting!

I know, I know, it's poppy, throwaway music. I can't help it. It's one of my guilty pleasures. I love to put one of the albums in, pick one of the Spice Girls, and sing her part all the way through. (Ginger's my fav Spice, but Baby and Scary are the most fun to sing.)
I even own the dvd of their movie. I bought it because of the scene where Ginger (Geri) dressed in a Wonder Woman costume, but the whole thing is just cheesy fun; Velveeta on Screen.
Geri's solo album was great as was her cover of 'It's Raining Men.' I danced to that at many a gay club.
In any case, it looks like this will be a Summer to remember. Now, if they will only put out a Greatest Hits...(If Flock of Seagulls can have one...)

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Book Reviews

I have been asked by some of my readers who don't get my local paper where they can read my book reviews. So, I will be posting them here on Thursday or Friday before they see print in the Sunday edition. Enjoy!

The Icon
by Neil Olson
ISBN 0060748389

Any time you have a major pop culture phenomenon, there will invariably be copycats. Take Harry Potter, for example. Many publishers have capitalized on the success of J.K. Rowling's books. Some are very good ('Eragon') some are not ('Midnight for Charlie Bones').'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown is no exception. Many, many authors have tried to duplicate its success. 'The Icon' by Neil Olson is one such example. I am afraid to say that it pales miseably in comparison to its inspiration.

Olson's plot revolves around an icon hidden in a Greek church. During World War II, it is captured and begins an odyssey which ultimately brings it to New York City. The novel opens with a flashback, which is incredibly confusing, along with introducing so many characters in 10 pages, you are unable to discern who to care about. It does not help that the characters are so poorly written they illicit very little sympathy anyway.

The reader leaves the intruduction in utter confusion then BAM! right into present day and a new batch of 'Who's Important To The Plot Now?'characters. The pace of the plot does not pick up anytime soon and by the time you get to an action sequence, you are beyond caring who wins. Inserted into all this mediocrity is a romance subplot with less chemistry than Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley.

Just because your novel draws comparison does not automatically mean it is a bad book. 'Rule of Four' was compared to 'The Da Vinci Code' when it was published, and it did well. However, a good idea and a great writing style will win the day over a rehashed plot and a less-than-steller turn of phrase.

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

He's Back!

As many, if not all of you know, my favorite book in the entire universe is 'Wicked' by Gregory Maguire. You may also know that as a rule, I hate all of his other books. I still read every new novel, in the hope that he will redeem himself one of these days. I have a hardcover edition of 'Wicked' that someday I hope to have him sign.

It seems Mr. Maguire is going back to the story that made him famous. In October, HarperCollins is releasing 'Son of a Witch,' the 'long awaited sequel to 'Wicked.'

Long Awaited? I don't think it needed any follow-up. I liked the story just as it is. This could be an utter disaster, or this could be the book that redeems Maguire in my eyes. But don't bet on it.

Monday, May 23, 2005

Well! I nerver!!!

1. I have never driven a motorcycle.

2. I have never paid for sex.

3. I have never charged for sex.

4. I have never been to Canada.

5. I have never worked on an oil rig.

6. I have never read 'War and Peace.'

7. I have never seen 'Citizen Kane.'

8. I have never met Lynda Carter.

9. I have never piloted an airplane.

10. I never hide my sexuality

Friday, May 20, 2005

The Sith is Back!

For 2 hours and 23 minutes yesterday, I morphed into a 5 year old boy (Stay back Michael Jackson!)

The reason for this transformation was my viewing of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. I have been waiting for this movie since I saw the first one in 1977. Like some other people I know out there in blogger-ville, I was a die-hard Vader freak. I dressed up as Vader for more Haloweens than I care to admit, forcing my sister to wear a white beadsheet and put her hair in cinnamon buns to accompany me as Princess Leia. I was always fascinated by the idea of his Fall From Grace.
When the novelization if Episode III came out, I tore through it like there was no tomorrow. For those who have seen the movie, I reccommend reading it, as it fills in some holes from the movie, and actually gives Natalie Portman's character (Once-Queen, now Senator Padme Amidala) a lot more to do than sit in her bedroom and proclaim her love for Hayden Christiansen. (Although, given a choice, I would love to be in my bedroom, proclaiming my love for Hayden)
This was certainly the best of the Star Wars prequels. The Empire Strikes Back will still hold the first place for the entire series.
I can't wait for the dvd, as there are already at least 5 deleted scenes to be presented, including the first appearance of Mon Monthma (seen in Star Wars Episode VI:Return of the Jedi) organizing a rebellion.

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Media Blitz

Randy on the air...

(Big thanks to POTUSOL for the hosting and the help...smooch!)

Friday, May 06, 2005

Celebrity is as celebrity does...

Well, my Harry Potter plans are in full swing now. For our Midnight Release party, I am decorating the entire store like Hogwarts. Since everyone will be working that night, I have been assigning 'characters' for them to play. I have to say, I am an excellent casting director. This is the book equivalent of Star Wars Episode III. It is great to see kids getting this excited about reading.
However, somewhere in the shuffle, I forgot to assign myself a character. The obvious choice would be Prof. Dumbledore, as I will be the MC that evening. I am not that tall, nor that old, so that's a no-go.
This morning I was interviewed by a local radio station about an upcoming author signing, and right now I am supposed to be finishing my feature for the paper on local writers...and it hit me...Gilderoy Lockhart!!!! I am just that vain, and well known enough around here to pull it off. (I like to think that I am a little more talented in the writing department, but I actually can't say that I have read a Lockhart book.)

Monday, May 02, 2005

What is The Gods were one of us...

Here is a fun little quiz I came across this weekend.

Which God are you?

We all know which Cletic Goddess I would be, but this refers to Greek Myth. I took both the male and female quiz, just for fun. So if I were divine offspring, my parents would be Hera and Apollo.

What about you, my dear readers?